Organic electroluminescence device

ABSTRACT

An organic electroluminescence device including a pair of electrodes and at least one organic compound layer comprising a light-emitting layer between the pair of electrodes, wherein a refractive index of at least one of the light-emitting layer or an organic compound layer on the light extraction side of the light-emitting layer is 1.6 or less. An organic EL device in which luminescence can extracted with high efficiency and luminescence of high brightness can be obtained.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-336345, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

1. Field of the Present Invention

The present invention relates to an organic electroluminescence device (hereinafter, referred to as an “organic EL device” in some cases) which can be effectively applied to a surface light source for full color display, backlight, illumination light sources and the like; or a light source array for printers, and the like.

2. Description of the Related Art

An organic EL device is composed of a light-emitting layer or a plurality of organic layers containing a light-emitting layer, and a pair of electrodes sandwiching the organic layers. The organic EL device is a device for obtaining luminescence by utilizing at least either one of luminescence from excitons each of which is obtained by recombining an electron injected from a cathode with a positive hole injected from an anode to produce exciton, or luminescence from exciton of other molecules produced by energy transmission from the above-described excitons.

Heretofore, an organic EL device has been developed by using a laminate structure from integrated layers in which each layer is functionally differentiated, whereby the brightness and the device efficiency are remarkably improved. For example, it is described in “Science”, vol. 267, No. 3, page 1332; 1995 that a two-layer laminated type device obtained by laminating a positive hole-transport layer and a light-emitting layer also functioning as an electron-transport layer; a three-layer laminated type device obtained by laminating a positive hole-transport layer, a light-emitting layer, and an electron-transport layer; and a four-layer laminated type device obtained by laminating a positive hole-transport layer, a light-emitting layer, a positive hole-blocking layer, and an electron-transport layer have been frequently used.

For the practical application of an organic EL device, however, there are still many problems such as improvements in luminous efficiency, and driving durability. Particularly, increase in luminous efficiency results in a decrease in electricity consumption, and further, it is advantageous in view of driving durability. Accordingly, many means of improvement have been heretofore disclosed. However, a luminescent material having a high luminous efficiency usually has a disadvantage of causing brightness deterioration during driving thereof, and further, a material excellent in driving durability involves a disadvantage of low brightness. Accordingly, it is not easy to achieve both higher in luminous efficiency and higher driving durability, and thus, further improvements are sought. For instance, it is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 2000-315581 that an inorganic electric charge barrier layer is arranged between either a light-emitting layer and both electrodes, or the light-emitting layer and one of the electrodes, whereby carrier injection efficiency is increased. In Japanese Patent Application National Publication No. 2002-532848, it is also disclosed that a barrier layer containing an insulating material is disposed on an electrode material or adjacent to the electrode. In JP-A No. 9-148071, it is disclosed that an intermediate layer prepared by dispersing an inorganic fine powder in a polymer binder is arranged. However, these layers to be newly arranged, starting the inorganic electric charge barrier layer, disturb charge transfer by means of carriers, and thus, it has not been possible to use them in the form of an ultra-thin layer of around several nm.

In JP-A No. 2002-56988, congfiguring a diffraction grating prepared by disposing a high refractive index medium layer between an anode and a light-emitting layer is proposed. However, the high refractive index medium layer also inhibist charge transfer by means of carriers, so that it has only been possible the high refractive index medium layer in the form of an ultra-thin layer.

On the other hand, a means for improving extraction efficiency of the light emitted in a light-emitting layer is also disclosed. For instance, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-257620, there is disclosed a light loss prevention layer having a plurality of regions each of which has a refractive index different from one another between the light-emitting layer and the electrode. The light loss prevention layer contains, for example, a mixture composed of a high refractive index material and a low refractive index material wherein their refractive indexes differ from one another by 0.3 or more, whereby a sea-island structure composed of high refractive index phases and low refractive index phases in the layer is present, and it is attempted to improve light extraction efficiency by means of a light scattering effect. However, there is a disadvantage in that such a light loss prevention layer disturbs charge transfer of electric charge in the device, resulting in a decrease in quantum efficiency of the luminescence, whereby the driving voltage increases.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances and provides an organic electroluminescence device comprising a pair of electrodes and at least one organic compound layer comprising a light-emitting layer between the pair of electrodes, wherein a refractive index of at least one of the light-emitting layer or an organic compound layer on the light extraction side of the light-emitting layer is 1.6 or less.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an organic electroluminescence device in which luminescence is extracted with high efficiency, whereby and resulting luminescence of high brightness is obtained at a low driving voltage.

The organic electroluminescence device according to the present invention comprises a pair of electrodes and at least one organic compound layer comprising a light-emitting layer between the pair of electrodes, wherein a refractive index of the light-emitting layer or an organic compound layer on the light extraction side of the light-emitting layer is 1.6 or less.

Preferably, a thickness of the layer having a refractive index of 1.6 or less is 20 nm to 500 nm.

Preferably, the layer having a refractive index of 1.6 or less is the light-emitting layer or a positive hole-injection layer. More preferably, the layer having a refractive index of 1.6 or less is the light-emitting layer and a positive hole-injection layer.

Preferably, the layer having a refractive index of 1.6 or less contains 10% by mass to 90% by mass of a material having a refractive index of 1.5 or less.

A refractive index of the layer according to the present invention corresponds to a value obtained by the following measurement.

Measuring Method: a refractive index of a thin film prepared on a quartz substrate is measured at wavelength of 550 nm in accordance with the spectroscopic ellipsometry method.

Preferably, the material having a refractive index of 1.5 or less is a metal fluoride. More preferably, the metal fluoride is at least one member selected from AlF₃, Na₃AlF₆, MgF₂, CaF₂, BaF₂, SrF₂, LiF, NaF, KF, and CsF.

The another preferable example of group of the material having a refractive index of 1.5 or less is an organic substance. Preferably, the organic substance having a refractive index of 1.5 or less is a fluorine-containing organic compound. More preferably, the fluorine-containing organic compound is a perfluoroalkyl compound.

Preferably, the layer having a refractive index of 1.6 or less has a thickness of 20 nm to 500 nm or smaller and contains 0.01% by mass to 1% by mass of tetrafluorotetracyanoquinodimethane (F4TCNQ).

According to the present invention, the extraction efficiency of luminescence to the outside can be improved without deteriorating the charge transporting property, and as s result, it becomes possible to obtain luminescence of high brightness at a low driving voltage.

In the following, the organic electroluminescence device of the present invention will be described in detail.

(Constitution)

The organic electroluminescence device according to the present invention has at least one organic compound layer including a light-emitting layer in between a pair of electrodes (anode and cathode), and further preferably has a positive hole-injection layer between the anode and the light-emitting layer as well as an electron-transport layer between the cathode and the light-emitting layer.

In view of the nature of an electroluminescence device, it is preferred that at least either electrode of the pair of electrodes is transparent.

As a lamination pattern of the organic compound layers according to the present invention, it is preferred that the layers are laminated in the order of a positive hole-injection layer, a light-emitting layer, and electron-transport layer from the anode side. Moreover, a positive hole-transport layer between the positive hole-injection layer and the light-emitting layer and/or an electron transporting intermediate layer between the light-emitting layer and the electron-transport layer may be provided. In addition, a positive hole transporting intermediate layer may be provided in between the light-emitting layer and the positive hole-transport layer, and similarly, an electron injection layer may be provided in between the cathode and the electron-transport layer.

The preferred modes of the organic compound layer in the organic electroluminescence device of the present invention are as follows. (1) An embodiment having a positive hole-injection layer, a positive hole-transport layer (the positive hole-injection layer may also have the role of the positive hole-transport layer), a positive hole transporting intermediate layer, a light-emitting layer, an electron-transport layer, and an electron injection layer (the electron-transport layer may also have the role of the electron injection layer) in this order from the anode side; (2) an embodiment having a positive hole-injection layer, a positive hole-transport layer (the positive hole-injection layer may also have the role of the positive hole-transport layer), a light-emitting layer, an electron transporting immediate layer, an electron-transport layer, and an electron injection layer (the electron-transport layer may also have the role of the electron injection layer); and (3) an embodiment having a positive hole-injection layer, a positive hole-transport layer (the positive hole-injection layer may also have the role of the positive hole-transport layer), a positive hole transporting intermediate layer, a light-emitting layer, an electron transporting intermediate layer, an electron-transport layer, and an electron injection layer (the electron-transport layer may also have the role of the electron injection layer).

The above-described positive hole transporting intermediate layer preferably has at least either a function for accelerating the injection of positive holes into the light-emitting layer, or a function for blocking electrons.

Furthermore, the above-described electron transporting intermediate preferably layer has at least either a function for accelerating the injection of electrons into the light-emitting layer, or a function for blocking positive holes.

Moreover, at least either of the above-described positive hole transporting intermediate layer and the electron transporting intermediate layer preferably has a function for blocking excitons produced in the light-emitting layer.

In order to realize effectively the functions for accelerating the injection of positive hole, or the injection of electrons, and the functions for blocking positive holes, electrons, or excitons, it is preferred that the positive hole transporting intermediate layer and the electron transporting intermediate layer are adjacent to the light-emitting layer.

The respective layers mentioned above may be separated into a plurality of secondary layers.

Next, the components constituting the electroluminescence device of the present invention will be described in detail.

An organic compound layer according to the present invention will be described.

The organic electroluminescence device of the present invention has at least one organic compound layer including a light-emitting layer. Examples of the organic compound layers other than the light-emitting layer include, as mentioned above, respective layers of a positive hole-injection layer, a positive hole-transport layer, a positive hole transporting intermediate layer, a light-emitting layer, an electron transporting intermediate layer, an electron-transport layer, an electron injection layer and the like.

(Layer Having a Refractive Index of 1.6 or Less)

The layer having a refractive index of 1.6 or less according to the present invention may be any of the organic compound layers including the above-described light-emitting layer and is at least one of the light-emitting layer, the positive hole-injection layer, the positive hole-transport layer, the positive hole transporting intermediate layer, the light-emitting layer, the electron transporting intermediate layer, the electron-transport layer, the electron injection layer or the like; preferably it is at least one of the light-emitting layer, the positive hole-injection layer, positive hole-transport layer, or the positive hole transporting intermediate layer; and more preferably it is at least one of or both of the light-emitting layer and the positive hole-injection layer.

In general, each of these organic compound layers contains specific functional materials realizing the function of the layer, while the refractive index thereof is comparatively as high as 1.7 to 1.8. Accordingly, the layer having a low refractive index of 1.6 or less according to the present invention is obtained by the means wherein a material having a low refractive index is mixedly added to these functional materials to lower the refractive index of the whole layer. The lower the refractive index of the low refractive index material to be added, the more preferable it is. Furthermore, the higher the mixing ratio is, the more preferable it is; and more preferably a material having a refractive index of 1.5 or less is added in an amount of 10% by mass to 90% by mass. When the mixing ratio is less than 10% by mass, the effect of lowering refractive index of the layer becomes small, so that improvements in light extraction efficiency can not be expected. Further, when the mixing ratio exceeds 90% by mass, charge transfer in the layer is disturbed so that luminescence quantum efficiency is hindered, whereby the luminescence brightness is decreased and the driving voltage is increased, and thus, this is not preferable.

Low Refractive Index Material

One of the low refractive index materials, which may be used according to the present invention, is an inorganic material, while another is an organic material.

Examples of the inorganic materials which may be used for the low refractive index material of the present invention include metal oxides, metal fluorides, silicon oxides, and metal oxide-silicon oxide mixtures, and metal fluorides are preferable.

In the following, specific examples of the low refractive index materials of inorganic material are listed, but it should be noted that the present invention is not limited thereto.

The specific examples include AlF₃, MgF₂, Na₃AlF₆, CaF₂, BaF₂, SrF₂, LiF, NaF, KF, CsF, Na₂O, Li₂O, SiO₂ and an SiO₂—Na₂O mixture.

Among these, particularly preferable materials are AlF₃, Na₃AlF₆, MgF₂, CaF₂, BaF₂, SrF₂, LiF, NaF, KF, and CsF.

Examples of the organic materials which may be used for the low refractive index material of the present invention include fluorine-containing organic compounds, alkyl compounds, cycloalkyl compounds, cyclodextrins, cyclic ethers, catenanes, and cucurbituril, and fluorine-containing organic compounds are preferable.

Examples of the fluorine-containing organic compounds include perfluoroalkyl compounds, perfluoroalkylether compounds and the like, and perfluoroalkyl compounds are preferable.

In the following, specific examples of the organic low refractive index materials are listed, but it should be noted that the present invention is not limited thereto.

The specific examples include perfluorododecane, perfluoro-2,7-dimethyloctane, perfluoro-2,11-dimethyldodecane, and difluoromethyl ether/tetrafluoroethyl ether copolymers.

In the present invention, an inorganic low refractive index material may be admixed with an organic low refractive index material. The mixing ratio is not particularly limited, and it may be arbitrarily selected in a range where a good mixture can be formed. In this respect, however, the refractive index of a mixture depends on the mass ratio thereof, and therefore, it is advantageous that a ratio of the material of the lower refractive index is high.

In the present invention, when a low refractive index material is admixed with the functional materials to form a layer, it is preferred to contain tetrafluorotetracyanoquinodimethane (F4TCNQ) in an amount of 0.01% by mass to 1% by mass with respect to an amount of the total solid content of the layer. Including tetrafluorotetracyanoquinodimethane (F4TCNQ) in this range results in excellent positive hole transporting property, whereby high luminescent efficiency is obtained. When the amount is less than 0.01% by mass, a sufficient effect cannot be obtained, and when the amount exceeds 1% by mass, it is not desirable in view of decrease in the luminescent efficiency.

(Formation of Organic Compound Layer)

In the organic electroluminescence device of the present invention, the respective layers constituting the organic compound layers can be suitably formed in accordance with any of a dry film-forming method such as a vapor deposition method, or a sputtering method; a transfer method; a printing method; a coating method; an ink-jet printing method; or a spray method.

(Positive Hole-Injection Layer and Positive Hole-Transport Layer)

The positive hole-injection layer and positive hole-transport layer correspond to layers functioning to receive positive holes from an anode or from an anode side and to transport the positive holes to a cathode side.

As an electron-accepting dopant to be introduced into a positive hole-injection layer or a positive hole-transport layer, either of an inorganic compound or an organic compound may be used as long as the compound has electron accepting property and a function for oxidizing an organic compound. Specifically, Lewis acid compounds such as ferric chloride, aluminum chloride, gallium chloride, indium chloride, and antimony pentachloride are preferably used as the inorganic compounds.

In case of the organic compounds, compounds having substituents such as a nitro group, a halogen, a cyano group, or a trifluoromethyl group; quinone compounds, acid anhydride compounds, and fullerenes may be preferably applied.

Specific examples of the organic compounds include hexacyanobutadiene, hexacyanobenzene, tetracyanoethylene, tetracyanoquinodimethane, tetrafluorotetracyanoquinodimethane, p-fluoranil, p-chloranil, p-bromanil, p-benzoquinone, 2,6-dichlorobenzoquinone, 2,5-dichlorobenzoquinone, tetramethylbenzoquinone, 1,2,4,5-tetracyanobenzene, o-dicyanobenzene, p-dicyanobenzene, 1,4-dicyanotetrafluorobenzene, 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyanobenzoquinone, p-dinitrobenzene, m-dinitrobenzene, o-dinitrobenzene, p-cyanonitrobenzene, m-cyanonitrobenzene, o-cyanonitrobenzene, 1,4-naphthoquinone, 2,3-dichloronaphthoquinone, 1-nitronaphthalene, 2-nitronaphthalene, 1,3-dinitronaphthalene, 1,5-dinitronaphthalene, 9-cyanoanthoracene, 9-nitroanthracene, 9,10-anthraquinone, 1,3,6,8-tetranitrocarbazole, 2,4,7-trinitro-9-fluorenone, 2,3,5,6-tetracyanopyridine, maleic anhydride, phthalic anhydride, fullerene C60, and fullerene C70.

Among these, hexacyanobutadiene, hexacyanobenzene, tetracyanoethylene, tetracyanoquinodimethane, tetrafluorotetracyanoquinodimethane, p-fluoranil, p-chloranil, p-bromanil, p-benzoquinone, 2,6-dichlorobenzoquinone, 2,5-dichlorobenzoquinone, 1,2,4,5-tetracyanobenzene, 1,4-dicyanotetrafluorobenzene, 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyanobenzoquinone, p-dinitrobenzene, m-dinitrobenzene, o-dinitrobenzene, 1,4-naphthoquinone, 2,3-dichloronaphthoquinone, 1,3-dinitronaphthalene, 1,5-dinitronaphthalene, 9,10-anthraquinone, 1,3,6,8-tetranitrocarbazole, 2,4,7-trinitro-9-fluorenone, 2,3,5,6-tetracyanopyridine, or fullerene C60 is preferable. Hexacyanobutadiene, hexacyanobenzene, tetracyanoethylene, tetracyanoquinodimethane, tetrafluorotetracyanoquinodimethane, p-fluoranil, p-chloranil, p-bromanil, 2,6-dichlorobenzoquinone, 2,5-dichlorobenzoquinone, 2,3-dichloronaphthoquinone, 1,2,4,5-tetracyanobenzene, 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyanobenzoquinone, or 2,3,5,6-tetracyanopyridine is particularly preferred.

These electron-accepting dopants may be used alone or in a combination of two or more of them.

Although an applied amount of these electron-accepting dopants depends on the type of material, 0.01% by mass to 50% by mass of a dopant is preferred with respect to a positive hole-transport layer material, 0.05% by mass to 20% by mass is more preferable, and 0.1% by mass to 10% by mass is particularly preferred. When the amount applied is less than 0.01% by mass with respect to the positive hole transportation material, it is not desirable because the advantageous effects of the present invention are insufficient, and when it exceeds 50% by mass, positive hole transportation ability is deteriorated, and thus, this is not preferred.

As a material for the positive hole-injection layer and the positive hole-transport layer, it is preferred to contain specifically pyrrole derivatives, carbazole derivatives, pyrazole derivatives, triazole derivatives, oxazole derivatives, oxadiazole derivatives, imidazole derivatives, polyarylalkane derivatives, pyrazoline derivatives, pyrazolone derivatives, phenylenediamine derivatives, arylamine derivatives, amino-substituted calcon derivatives, styrylanthracene derivatives, fluorenone derivatives, hydrazone derivatives, stilbene derivatives, silazane derivatives, aromatic tertiary amine compounds, styrylamine derivatives, aromatic dimethylidine compounds, porphyrin compounds, organosilane derivatives, carbon or the like.

Although a thickness of the positive hole-injection layer and the positive hole-transport layer is not particularly limited, it is preferred that the thickness is 1 nm to 5 μm, it is more preferably 5 nm to 1 μm, and 10 nm to 500 nm is particularly preferred in view of decrease in driving voltage, improvements in luminescent efficiency, and improvements in durability.

The positive hole-injection layer and the positive hole-transport layer may be composed of a monolayered structure comprising one or two or more of the above-mentioned materials, or a multilayer structure composed of plural layers of a homogeneous composition or heterogeneous compositions.

When the carrier transportation layer adjacent to the light-emitting layer is a positive hole-transport layer, it is preferred that the Ip (HTL) of the positive hole-transport layer is smaller than the Ip (D) of the dopant contained in the light-emitting layer in view of driving durability.

The Ip (HTL) in the positive hole-transport layer may be measured in accordance with the below-mentioned measuring method of Ip.

A carrier mobility in the positive hole-transport layer is usually from 10⁻⁷ cm²·V⁻¹·s⁻¹ to 10⁻¹ cm²·V⁻¹·s⁻¹; and in this range, from 10⁻⁵ cm²·V⁻¹·s⁻¹ to 10⁻¹ cm²·V⁻¹·s⁻¹ is preferable; from 10⁻⁴ cm²·V⁻¹·s⁻¹ to 10⁻¹ cm²·V⁻¹·s⁻¹ is more preferable; and from 10⁻³ cm²·V⁻¹·s⁻¹ to 10⁻¹ cm²·V⁻¹·s⁻¹ is particularly preferable in view of the luminescent efficiency.

For the carrier mobility, a value measured in accordance with the same method as that of the carrier mobility of the above-described light-emitting layer is adopted.

Moreover, it is preferred that the carrier mobility in the positive hole-transport layer is higher than that in the above-described light-emitting layer in view of driving durability and luminescent efficiency

(Electron Injection Layer and Electron-Transport Layer)

The electron injection layer and the electron-transport layer are layers having any of functions for injecting electrons from the cathode, transporting electrons, and becoming a barrier to positive holes which could be injected from the anode.

As a material applied for the electron-donating dopant with respect to the electron injection layer or the electron-transport layer, any material may be used as long as it has an electron-donating property and a property for reducing an organic compound, and alkaline metals such as Li, alkaline earth metals such as Mg, and transition metals including rare-earth metals are preferably used.

Particularly, metals having a work function of 4.2 V or less are preferably applied, and specific examples thereof include Li, Na, K, Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Y, Cs, La, Sm, Gd, and Yb.

These electron-donating dopants may be used alone or in a combination of two or more of them.

An applied amount of the electron-donating dopants differs dependent on the types of the materials, but it is preferably 0.1% by mass to 99% by mass with respect to an electron-transport layer material, more preferably 1.0% by mass to 80% by mass, and particularly preferably 2.0% by mass to 70% by mass. When the amount applied is less than 0.1% by mass, the efficiency of the present invention is insufficient so that it is not desirable, and when it exceeds 99% by mass, the electron transportation ability is deteriorated so that it is not preferred.

Specific examples of the materials applied for the electron injection layer and the electron-transport layer include pyridine, pyrimidine, triazine, imidazole, triazole, oxazole, oxadiazole, fluorenone, anthraquinodimethane, anthrone, diphenylquinone, thiopyrandioxide, carbodiimide, imide, fluorenylidenemethane, distyrylpyradine, fluorine-substituted aromatic compounds, naphthalene, heterocyclic tetracarboxylic anhydrides such as perylene, phthalocyanine, and the derivatives thereof (which may form condensed rings with the other rings); and metal complexes represented by metal complexes of 8-quinolinol derivatives, metal phthalocyanine, and metal complexes containing benzoxazole, or benzothiazole as the ligand.

Although a thickness of the electron injection layer and the electron-transport layer is not particularly limited, it is preferred that the thickness is in 1 nm to 5 μm, it is more preferably 5 nm to 1 μm, and it is particularly preferably 10 nm to 500 nm in view of decrease in driving voltage, improvements in luminescent efficiency, and improvements in durability.

The electron injection layer and the electron-transport layer may have either a monolayered structure comprising one or two or more of the above-mentioned materials, or a multilayer structure composed of plural layers of a homogeneous composition or a heterogeneous composition.

When the carrier transportation layer adjacent to the light-emitting layer is an electron-transport layer, it is preferred that the Ea (ETL) of the electron-transport layer is higher than the Ea (D) of the dopants contained in the light-emitting layer in view of driving durability.

For the Ea (ETL), a value measured in accordance with the same manner as the measuring method of Ea, which will be mentioned later, is used.

Furthermore, the carrier mobility in the electron-transport layer is usually from 10⁻⁷ cm²·V⁻¹·s⁻¹ to 10⁻¹ cm²·V⁻¹·s⁻¹, and in this range, from 10⁻⁵ cm²·V⁻¹·s⁻¹ to 10⁻¹ cm²·V⁻¹·s⁻¹ is preferable, from 10⁻⁴ cm²·V⁻¹·s⁻¹ to 10⁻¹ cm²·V⁻¹·s⁻¹ is more preferable, and from 10⁻³ cm²·V⁻¹·s⁻¹ to 10⁻¹ cm²·V⁻¹·s⁻¹ is particularly preferred, in view of luminescent efficiency.

Moreover, it is preferred that the carrier mobility in the electron-transport layer is higher than that of the light-emitting layer in view of driving durability. The carrier mobility is measured in accordance with the same method as that of the positive hole-transport layer.

As to the carrier mobility of the luminescent device of the present invention, it is preferred that the carrier mobility in the positive hole-transport layer, the electron-transport layer, and the light-emitting layer has the relationship of (electron-transport layer≧positive hole-transport layer)>light-emitting layer in view of driving durability.

As the host material contained in the buffer layer, the below-mentioned positive hole transporting host or electron transporting host may be preferably used.

(Light-Emitting Layer)

The light-emitting layer is a layer having a function for receiving positive holes from the anode, the positive hole-injection layer, the positive hole-transport layer or the positive hole transporting buffer layer, and receiving electrons from the cathode, the electron injection layer, the electron-transport layer, or the electron transporting buffer layer, and for providing a field for recombination of the positive holes with the electrons to emit a light.

The light-emitting layer of the present invention contains at least one type of luminescent dopant and a plurality of host compounds.

The light-emitting layer may be composed of either one layer or two or more layers wherein the respective layers may emit light of different colors from one another in the respective layers. Even if the light-emitting layers are composed of a plurality thereof, it is preferred that each of the light-emitting layers contains at least one luminescent dopant and a plurality of host compounds.

The luminescent dopant and the plural host compounds contained in the light-emitting layer of the present invention may be either a combination of a fluorescence luminescent dopant in which the luminescence (fluorescence) from a singlet exciton is obtained and the plurality of host compounds, or a combination of a phosphorescence luminescent dopant in which the luminescence (phosphorescence) from triplet exciton is obtained and the plurality of host compounds; among these, a combination of the phosphorescence luminescent dopant and the plurality of host compounds is preferable in view of luminescent efficiency.

The light-emitting layer of the present invention may contain two or more types of luminescent dopants for improving color purity and expanding the luminescent wavelength region.

Luminescent Dopant

Any of phosphorescent emission materials, fluorescent emission materials and the like may be used as the luminescent dopant in the present invention.

It is preferred that the luminescent dopant in the present invention is one satisfying a relationship between the above-described host compound and the luminescent dopant of 1.2 eV>ΔIp>0.2 eV and/or 1.2 eV>ΔEa>0.2 eV in view of driving durability.

Phosphorescence Luminescent Dopant

Examples of the above-described phosphorescence luminescent dopant generally include complexes containing transition metal atoms or lantanoid atoms.

For instance, although the transition metal atoms are not limited, they are preferably ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, tungsten, rhenium, osmium, iridium, or platinum; more preferably rhenium, iridium, and platinum, or even more preferably iridium, or platinum.

Examples of the lantanoid atoms include lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, and lutetium, and among these lantanoid atoms, neodymium, europium, and gadolinium are preferred.

Examples of ligands in the complex include the ligands described, for example, in “Comprehensive Coordination Chemistry” authored by G. Wilkinson et al., published by Pergamon Press Company in 1987; “Photochemistry and Photophysics of Coordination compounds” authored by H. Yersin, published by Springer-Verlag Company in 1987; and “YUHKI KINZOKU KAGAKU -KISO TO OUYOU- (Metalorganic Chemistry-Fundamental and Application-)” authored by Akio Yamamoto, published by Shokabo Publishing Co., Ltd. in 1982.

Specific examples of the ligands include preferably halogen ligands (preferably chlorine ligands), aromatic carboxycyclic ligands (e.g., cyclopentadienyl anions, benzene anions, or naphthyl anions and the like), nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ligands (e.g., phenylpyridine, benzoquinoline, quinolinol, bipyridyl, or phenanthroline and the like), diketone ligands (e.g., acetylacetone and the like), carboxylic acid ligands (e.g., acetic acid ligands and the like), alcoholate ligands (e.g., phenolate ligands and the like), carbon monoxide ligands, isonitryl ligands, and cyano ligand, and more preferably nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ligands.

The above-described complexes may be either a complex containing one transition metal atom in the compound, or a so-called polynuclear complex containing two or more transition metal atoms wherein different metal atoms may be contained at the same time.

Among these, specific examples of the luminescent dopants include phosphorescence luminescent compounds described in patent documents such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,303,238B1, U.S. Pat. No. 6,097,147, WO00/57676, WO00/70655, WO01/08230, WO01/39234A2, WO01/41512A1, WO02/02714A2, WO02/15645A1, WO02/44189A1, JP-A No. 2001-247859, Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-33561, JP-A Nos. 2002-117978, 2002-225352, and 2002-235076, Japanese Patent Application No.2001-239281, JP-A No. 2002-170684, EP1211257, JP-A Nos. 2002-226495, 2002-234894, 2001-247859, 2001-298470, 2002-173674, 2002-203678, 2002-203679, and 2004-357791, Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2005-75340 and 2005-75341, etc. Among these, more preferable examples of the luminescent dopants include Ir complexes, Pt complexes, Cu complexes, Re complexes, W complexes, Rh complexes, Ru complexes, Pd complexes, Os complexes, Eu complexes, Tb complexes, Gd complexes, Dy complexes, and Ce complexes; particularly preferable are Ir complexes, Pt complexes, and Re complexes; and among these, Ir complexes, Pt complexes, and Re complexes each containing at least one coordination mode of metal-carbon bonds, metal-nitrogen bonds, metal-oxygen bonds, and metal-sulfur bonds are preferred.

Fluorescence Luminescent Dopant

Examples of the above-described fluorescence luminescent dopants generally include benzoxazole, benzoimidazole, benzothiazole, styrylbenzene, polyphenyl, diphenylbutadiene, tetraphenylbutadiene, naphthalimide, coumarin, pyran, perinone, oxadiazole, aldazine, pyralidine, cyclopentadiene, bis-styrylanthracene, quinacridone, pyrrolopyridine, thiadiazolopyridine, cyclopentadiene, styrylamine, aromatic dimethylidene compounds, condensed polyaromatic compounds (anthracene, phenanthroline, pyrene, perylene, rubrene, pentacene and the like), a variety of metal complexes represented by metal complexes of 8-quinolynol, pyromethene complexes or rare-earth complexes, polymer compounds such as polythiophene, polyphenylene or polyphenylenevinylene, organic silanes, and derivatives thereof.

Among these, specific examples of the luminescent dopants include the following compounds, but it should be noted that the present invention is not limited thereto.

Among the above-described compounds, as the luminescent dopants to be used according to the present invention, D-2, D-3, D-4, D-5, D-6, D-7, D-8, D-9, D-10, D-11, D-12, D-13, D-14, D-15, D-16, D-21, D-22, D-23, or D-24 is preferable, D-2, D-3, D-4, D-5, D-6, D-7, D-8, D-12, D-14, D-15, D-16, D-21, D-22, D-23, or D-24 is more preferable, and D-21, D-22, D-23, or D-24 is further preferable in view of luminescent efficiency, and durability.

The luminescent dopant in a light-emitting layer is contained in an amount of 0.1% by mass to 30% by mass with respect to the total mass of the compounds generally forming the light-emitting layer, but it is preferably contained in an amount of 1% by mass to 15% by mass, and more preferably in an amount of 2% by mass to 12% by mass in view of durability and luminescent durability.

Although a thickness of the light-emitting layer is not particularly limited, 1 nm to 500 nm is usually preferred, and within this range, 5 nm to 200 nm is more preferable, and 5 nm to 100 nm is further preferred in view of luminescent efficiency.

(Host Material)

As the host materials to be used according to the present invention, positive hole transporting host materials excellent in positive hole transporting property (referred to as a “positive hole transporting host” in some cases) and electron transporting host compounds excellent in electron transporting property (referred to as an “electron transporting host” in some cases) may be used.

Positive Hole Transporting Host

The positive hole transporting host used for the organic layer of the present invention preferably has an ionization potential Ip of 5.1 eV to 6.3 eV, more preferably has an ionization potential of 5.4 eV to 6.1 eV, and further preferably has an ionization potential of 5.6 eV to 5.8 eV in view of improvements in durability and decrease in driving voltage. Furthermore, it preferably has an electron affinity Ea of 1.2 eV to 3.1 eV, more preferably of 1.4 eV to 3.0 eV, and further preferably of 1.8 eV to 2.8 eV in view of improvements in durability and decrease in driving voltage.

Specific examples of such positive hole transporting hosts as mentioned above include pyrrole, carbazole, triazole, oxazole, oxadiazole, pyrazole, imidazole, polyarylalkane, pyrazoline, pyrazolone, phenylenediamine, arylamine, amino-substituted chalcone, styrylanthracene, fluorenone, hydrazone, stilbene, silazane, aromatic tertiary amine compounds, styrylamine compounds, aromatic dimethylidine compounds, porphyrin compounds, polysilane compounds, poly(N-vinylcarbazole), aniline copolymers, electroconductive high-molecular oligomers such as thiophene oligomers, polythiophenes and the like, organic silanes, carbon films, derivatives thereof, and the like.

Among these, carbazole derivatives, aromatic tertiary amine compounds, and thiophene derivatives are preferable, and particularly, compounds containing a plurality of carbazole skeletons and/or aromatic tertiary amine skeletons in a molecule are preferred.

As specific examples of the positive hole transporting hosts described above, the following compounds may be listed, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

Electron Transporting Host

As the electron transporting host used according to the present invention, it is preferred that an electron affinity Ea of the host is 2.5 eV to 3.5 eV, more preferably 2.6 eV to 3.2 eV, and further preferably 2.8 eV to 3.1 eV in view of improvements in durability and decrease in driving voltage. Furthermore, it is preferred that an ionization potential Ip of the host is 5.7 eV to 7.5 eV, more preferably 5.8 eV to 7.0 eV, and further preferably 5.9 eV to 5.8 eV in view of improvements in durability and decrease in driving voltage.

Specific examples of such electron transporting hosts as mentioned above include pyridine, pyrimidine, triazine, imidazole, pyrazole, triazole, oxazole, oxadiazole, fluorenone, anthraquinonedimethane, anthrone, diphenylquinone, thiopyrandioxide, carbodiimide, fluorenylidenemethane, distyrylpyradine, fluorine-substituted aromatic compounds, heterocyclic tetracarboxylic anhydrides such as naphthaleneperylene and the like, phthalocyanine, derivatives thereof (which may form a condensed ring with another ring), and a variety of metal complexes represented by metal complexes of 8-quinolynol derivatives, metal phthalocyanine, and metal complexes having benzoxazole or benzothiazole as the ligand.

Preferable electron transporting hosts are metal complexes, azole derivatives (benzimidazole derivatives, imidazopyridine derivatives and the like), and azine derivatives (pyridine derivatives, pyrimidine derivatives, triazine derivatives and the like). Among these, metal complexes are preferred according to the present invention in view of durability. As the metal complex compound, a metal complex containing a ligand having at least one nitrogen atom, oxygen atom, or sulfur atom to be coordinated with the metal is more preferable.

Although a metal ion in the metal complex is not particularly limited, a beryllium ion, a magnesium ion, an aluminum ion, a gallium ion, a zinc ion, an indium ion, a tin ion, a platinum ion, or a palladium ion is preferred; more preferable is a beryllium ion, an aluminum ion, a gallium ion, a zinc ion, a platinum ion, or a palladium ion; and further preferable is an aluminum ion, a zinc ion, or a palladium ion.

Although there are a variety of well-known ligands to be contained in the above-described metal complexes, examples thereof include ligands described in “Photochemistry and Photophysics of Coordination Compounds” authored by H. Yersin, published by Springer-Verlag Company in 1987; “YUHKI KINZOKU KAGAKU -KISO TO OUYOU- (Metalorganic Chemistry -Fundamental and Application-)” authored by Akio Yamamoto, published by Shokabo Publishing Co., Ltd. in 1982, and the like.

The ligands are preferably nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ligands (having preferably 1 to 30 carbon atoms, more preferably 2 to 20 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably 3 to 15 carbon atoms); and they may be a unidentate ligand or a bi- or higher-dentate ligand. Preferable are bi- to hexa-dentate ligands, and mixed ligands of bi- to hexa-dentate ligands with a unidentate ligand are also preferable.

Examples of the ligands include azine ligands (e.g. pyridine ligands, bipyridyl ligands, terpyridine ligands and the like); hydroxyphenylazole ligands (e.g. hydroxyphenylbenzimidazole ligands, hydroxyphenylbenzoxazole ligands, hydroxyphenylimidazole ligands, hydroxyphenylimidazopyridine ligands and the like); alkoxy ligands (those having preferably 1 to 30 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably 1 to 10 carbon atoms, examples of which include methoxy, ethoxy, butoxy, 2-ethylhexyloxy and the like); aryloxy ligands (those having preferably 6 to 30 carbon atoms, more preferably 6 to 20 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably 6 to 12 carbon atoms, examples of which include phenyloxy, 1-naphthyloxy, 2-naphthyloxy, 2,4,6-trimethylphenyloxy, 4-biphenyloxy and the like); heteroaryloxy ligands (those having preferably 1 to 30 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably 1 to 12 carbon atoms, examples of which include pyridyloxy, pyrazyloxy, pyrimidyloxy, quinolyloxy and the like); alkylthio ligands (those having preferably 1 to 30 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably 1 to 12 carbon atoms, examples of which include methylthio, ethylthio and the like); arylthio ligands (those having preferably 6 to 30 carbon atoms, more preferably 6 to 20 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably 6 to 12 carbon atoms, examples of which include phenylthio and the like); heteroarylthio ligands (those having preferably 1 to 30 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably 1 to 12 carbon atoms, examples of which include pyridylthio, 2-benzimidazolylthio, benzooxazolylthio, 2-benzothiazolylthio and the like); siloxy ligands (those having preferably 1 to 30 carbon atoms, more preferably 3 to 25 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably 6 to 20 carbon atoms, examples of which include a triphenylsiloxy group, a triethoxysiloxy group, a triisopropylsiloxy group and the like); aromatic hydrocarbon anion ligands (those having preferably 6 to 30 carbon atoms, more preferably 6 to 25 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably 6 to 20 carbon atoms, examples of which include a phenyl anion, a naphthyl anion, an anthranyl anion and the like anion); aromatic heterocyclic anion ligands (those having preferably 1 to 30 carbon atoms, more preferably 2 to 25 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably 2 to 20 carbon atoms, examples of which include a pyrrole anion, a pyrazole anion, a triazole anion, an oxazole anion, a benzoxazole anion, a thiazole anion, a benzothiazole anion, a thiophene anion, a benzothiophene anion and the like); indolenine anion ligands and the like. Among these, nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ligands, aryloxy ligands, heteroaryloxy groups, aromatic hydrocarbon anion ligands, aromatic heterocyclic anion ligands or siloxy ligands are preferable, and nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ligands, aryloxy ligands, siloxy ligands, aromatic hydrocarbon anion ligands, or aromatic heterocyclic anion ligands are more preferable.

Examples of the metal complex electron transporting hosts include compounds described, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2002-235076, 2004-214179, 2004-221062, 2004-221065, 2004-221068, 2004-327313 and the like.

Specific examples of these electron transporting hosts include the following materials, but it should be noted that the present invention is not limited thereto.

As the electron transportation hosts, E-1 to E-6, E-8, E-9, E-10, E-21, or E-22 is preferred, E-3, E-4, E-6, E-8, E-9, E-10, E-21, or E-22 is more preferred, and E-3, E-4, E-21, or E-22 is further preferred.

In the light-emitting layer of the present invention, it is preferred that when a phosphorescence luminescent dopant is used as the luminescent dopant, the lowest triplet excitation energy T1(D) in the phosphorescence luminescent dopant and the minimum value among the lowest triplet excitation energies T1(H) min in the plural host compounds satisfy the relationship of T1(H) min>T1(D) in view of color purity, luminescent efficiency, and driving durability.

Although a content of the host compounds according to the present invention is not particularly limited, it is preferably 15% by mass to 85% by mass with respect to the total mass of the compounds forming the light-emitting layer in view of luminescence efficiency and driving voltage.

A carrier mobility in the light-emitting layer is generally from 10⁻⁷ cm²·V⁻¹·s⁻¹ to 10⁻¹ cm²·V⁻¹·s⁻¹, and within this range, it is preferably from 10⁻⁶ cm² V⁻¹·s⁻¹ to 10⁻¹ cm²·V⁻¹·s⁻¹, further preferably, from 10⁻⁵ cm²·V⁻¹·s⁻¹ to 10⁻¹ cm²·V⁻¹·s⁻¹, and particularly preferably, from 10⁻⁴ cm²·V⁻¹·s⁻¹ to 10⁻¹ cm²·V⁻¹·s⁻¹ in view of luminescence efficiency.

It is preferred that the carrier mobility of the light-emitting layer is lower than that of the carrier transportation layer, which will be mentioned herein below, in view of luminescence efficiency and driving durability.

The carrier mobility is measured in accordance with the “Time of Flight” method, and the resulting value is determined to be the carrier mobility.

(Positive Hole-Blocking Layer)

A positive hole-blocking layer is a layer having a function to prevent the positive holes transported from the anode to the light-emitting layer from passing through to the cathode side. According to the present invention, a positive hole-blocking layer may be provided as an organic compound layer adjacent to the light-emitting layer on the cathode side.

The positive hole-blocking layer is not particularly limited, but specifically, it may contain an aluminum complex such as BAlq, a triazole derivative, a pyrazabol derivative or the like.

It is preferred that a thickness of the positive hole-blocking layer is generally 50 nm or less in order to lower the driving voltage, more preferably it is 1 nm to 50 nm, and further preferably it is 5 nm to 40 nm.

(Anode)

The anode may generally be any material as long as it has a function as an electrode for supplying positive holes to the organic compound layer, and there is no particular limitation as to the shape, the structure, the size or the like. However, it may be suitably selected from among well-known electrode materials according to the application and purpose of luminescent device. As mentioned above, the anode is usually provided as a transparent anode.

Materials for the anode may preferably include, for example, metals, alloys, metal oxides, electroconductive compounds, and mixtures thereof, and those having a work function of 4.0 eV or more are preferred. Specific examples of the anode materials include electroconductive metal oxides such as tin oxides doped with antimony, fluorine or the like (ATO and FTO), tin oxide, zinc oxide, indium oxide, indium tin oxide (ITO), and indium zinc oxide (IZO); metals such as gold, silver, chromium, and nickel; mixtures or laminates of these metals and the electroconductive metal oxides; inorganic electroconductive materials such as copper iodide and copper sulfide; organic electroconductive materials such as polyaniline, polythiophene, and polypyrrole; and laminates of these inorganic or organic electron-conductive materials with ITO. Among these, the electroconductive metal oxides are preferred, and particularly, ITO is preferable in view of productivity, high electroconductivity, transparency and the like.

The anode may be formed on the substrate in accordance with a method which is appropriately selected from among wet methods such as printing methods, coating methods and the like; physical methods such as vacuum deposition methods, sputtering methods, ion plating methods and the like; and chemical methods such as CVD and plasma CVD methods and the like, in consideration of the suitability to a material constituting the anode. For instance, when ITO is selected as a material for the anode, the anode may be formed in accordance with a DC or high-frequency sputtering method, a vacuum deposition method, an ion plating method or the like.

In the organic electroluminescence device of the present invention, a position at which the anode is to be formed is not particularly limited, but it may be suitably selected according to the application and purpose of the luminescent device. The anode may be formed on either the whole surface or a part of the surface on either side of the substrate.

For patterning to form the anode, a chemical etching method such as photolithography, a physical etching method such as etching by laser, a method of vacuum deposition or sputtering through superposing masks, or a lift-off method or a printing method may be applied.

A thickness of the anode may be suitably selected according to the material constituting the anode and is therefore not definitely decided, but it is usually in the range of around 10 nm to 50 μm, and preferably 50 nm to 20 μm.

A value of resistance of the anode is preferably 10³ Ω/□ or less, and 10² Ω/□ or less is more preferable. In the case where the anode is transparent, it may be either transparent and colorless, or transparent and colored. For extracting luminescence from the transparent anode side, it is preferred that a light transmittance of the anode is 60% or higher, and more preferably 70% or higher.

Concerning transparent anodes, there is a detailed description in “TOUMEI DENNKYOKU-MAKU NO SHINTENKAI (Novel Developments in Transparent Electrode Films)” edited by Yutaka Sawada, published by C.M.C. in 1999, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. In the case where a plastic substrate having a low heat resistance is applied, it is preferred that ITO or IZO is used to obtain a transparent anode prepared by forming the film at a low temperature of 150° C. or lower.

(Cathode)

The cathode may generally be any material as long as it has a function as an electrode for injecting electrons to the organic compound layer, and there is no particular limitation as to the shape, the structure, the size or the like. However it may be suitably selected from among well-known electrode materials according to the application and purpose of the luminescent device.

Materials constituting the cathode may include, for example, metals, alloys, metal oxides, electroconductive compounds, and mixtures thereof, and materials having a work function of 4.5 eV or less are preferred. Specific examples thereof include alkali metals (e.g., Li, Na, K, Cs or the like), alkaline earth metals (e.g., Mg, Ca or the like), gold, silver, lead, aluminum, sodium-potassium alloys, lithium-aluminum alloys, magnesium-silver alloys, rare earth metals such as indium, and ytterbium, and the like. They may be used alone, but it is preferred that two or more of them are used in combination from the viewpoint of satisfying both stability and electron injectability.

Among these, as the materials for constituting the cathode, alkaline metals or alkaline earth metals are preferred in view of electron injectability, and materials containing aluminum as a major component are preferred in view of excellent preservation stability.

The term “material containing aluminum as a major component” refers to a material constituted by aluminum alone; alloys comprising aluminum and 0.01% by mass to 10% by mass of an alkaline metal or an alkaline earth metal; or the mixtures thereof (e.g., lithium-aluminum alloys, magnesium-aluminum alloys and the like).

Regarding materials for the cathode, they are described in detail in JP-A Nos. 2-15595 and 5-121172, of which are incorporated by reference herein.

A method for forming the cathode is not particularly limited, but it may be formed in accordance with a well-known method.

For instance, the cathode may be formed in accordance with a method which is appropriately selected from among wet methods such as printing methods, coating methods and the like; physical methods such as vacuum deposition methods, sputtering methods, ion plating methods and the like; and chemical methods such as CVD and plasma CVD methods and the like, in consideration of the suitability to a material constituting the cathode. For example, when a metal (or metals) is (are) selected as a material (or materials) for the cathode, one or two or more of them may be applied at the same time or sequentially in accordance with a sputtering method or the like.

For patterning to form the cathode, a chemical etching method such as photolithography, a physical etching method such as etching by laser, a method of vacuum deposition or sputtering through superposing masks, or a lift-off method or a printing method may be applied.

In the present invention, a position at which the cathode is to be formed is not particularly limited, and it may be formed on either the whole or a part of the organic compound layer.

Furthermore, a dielectric material layer made of fluorides, oxides or the like of an alkaline metal or an alkaline earth metal may be inserted in between the cathode and the organic compound layer with a thickness of 0.1 nm to 5 nm. The dielectric layer may be considered to be a kind of electron injection layer. The dielectric material layer may be formed in accordance with, for example, a vacuum deposition method, a sputtering method, an ion-plating method or the like.

A thickness of the cathode may be suitably selected according to materials for constituting the cathode and is therefore not definitely decided, but it is usually in the range of around 10 nm to 5 μm, and preferably 50 nm to 1 μm.

Moreover, the cathode may be transparent or opaque. The transparent cathode may be formed by preparing a material for the cathode with a small thickness of 1 nm to 10 nm, and further laminating a transparent electroconductive material such as ITO or IZO thereon.

(Substrate)

According to the present invention, a substrate may be applied. The substrate to be applied is preferably one which does not scatter or attenuate light emitted from the organic compound layer. Specific examples of materials for the substrate include zirconia-stabilized yttrium (YSZ); inorganic materials such as glass; polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene phthalate, and polyethylene naphthalate; and organic materials such as polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyethersulfon, polyarylate, polyimide, polycycloolefin, norbornene resin, poly(chlorotrifluoroethylene), and the like.

For instance, when glass is used as the substrate, non-alkali glass is preferably used with respect to the quality of material in order to decrease ions eluted from the glass. In the case of employing soda-lime glass, it is preferred to use glass on which a barrier coat such as silica has been applied. In the case of employing an organic material, it is preferred to use a material excellent in heat resistance, dimension stability, solvent resistance, electrical insulation, and workability.

There is no particular limitation as to the shape, the structure, the size or the like of the substrate, but it may be suitably selected according to the application, purposes and the like of the luminescent device. In general, a plate-like substrate is preferred as the shape of the substrate. A structure of the substrate may be a monolayer structure or a laminated structure. Furthermore, the substrate may be formed from a single member or two or more members.

Although the substrate may be in a transparent and colorless, or a transparent and colored condition, it is preferred that the substrate is transparent and colorless from the viewpoint that the substrate does not scatter or attenuate light emitted from the organic light-emitting layer.

A moisture permeation preventive layer (gas barrier layer) may be provided on the front surface or the back surface of the substrate.

For a material of the moisture permeation preventive layer (gas barrier layer), inorganic substances such as silicon nitride and silicon oxide may be preferably applied. The moisture permeation preventive layer (gas barrier layer) may be formed in accordance with, for example, a high-frequency sputtering method or the like.

In the case of applying a thermoplastic substrate, a hard-coat layer or an under-coat layer may be further provided as needed.

(Protective Layer)

According to the present invention, the whole organic EL device may be protected by a protective layer.

A material contained in the protective layer may be one having a function to prevent penetration of substances such as moisture and oxygen, which accelerate deterioration of the device, into the device.

Specific examples thereof include metals such as In, Sn, Pb, Au, Cu, Ag, Al, Ti, Ni and the like; metal oxides such as MgO, SiO, SiO₂, Al₂O₃, GeO, NiO, CaO, BaO, Fe₂O₃, Y₂O₃, TiO₂ and the like; metal nitrides such as SiN_(x), SiN_(x)O_(y) and the like; metal fluorides such as MgF₂, LiF, AlF₃, CaF₂ and the like; polyethylene; polypropylene; polymethyl methacrylate; polyimide; polyurea; polytetrafluoroethylene; polychlorotrifluoroethylene; polydichlorodifluoroethylene; a copolymer of chlorotrifluoroethylene and dichlorodifluoroethylene; copolymers obtained by copolymerizing a monomer mixture containing tetrafluoroethylene and at least one comonomer; fluorine-containing copolymers each having a cyclic structure in the copolymerization main chain; water-absorbing materials each having a coefficient of water absorption of 1% or more; moisture permeation preventive substances each having a coefficient of water absorption of 0.1% or less; and the like.

There is no particular limitation as to a method for forming the protective layer. For instance, a vacuum deposition method, a sputtering method, a reactive sputtering method, an NBE (molecular beam epitaxial) method, a cluster ion beam method, an ion plating method, a plasma polymerization method (high-frequency excitation ion plating method), a plasma CVD method, a laser CVD method, a thermal CVD method, a gas source CVD method, a coating method, a printing method, or a transfer method may be applied.

(Sealing)

The whole organic electroluminescence device of the present invention may be sealed with a sealing cap.

Furthermore, a moisture absorbent or an inert liquid may be used to seal a space defined between the sealing cap and the luminescent device. Although the moisture absorbent is not particularly limited. Specific examples thereof include barium oxide, sodium oxide, potassium oxide, calcium oxide, sodium sulfate, calcium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, phosphorus pentoxide, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, copper chloride, cesium fluoride, niobium fluoride, calcium bromide, vanadium bromide, molecular sieve, zeolite, magnesium oxide and the like. Although the inert liquid is not particularly limited, specific examples thereof include paraffins; liquid paraffins; fluorine-based solvents such as perfluoroalkanes, perfluoroamines, perfluoroethers and the like; chlorine-based solvents; silicone oils; and the like.

In the organic electroluminescence device of the present invention, when a DC (AC components may be contained as needed) voltage (usually 2 volts to 15 volts) or DC is applied across the anode and the cathode, luminescence can be obtained.

The driving durability of the organic electroluminescence device according to the present invention can be determined based on the brightness halftime at a specified brightness. For instance, the brightness halftime may be determined by using a source measure unit, model 2400, manufactured by KEITHLEY to apply a DC voltage to the organic EL device to cause it to emit light, conducting a continuous driving test under the condition that the initial brightness is 2000 cd/m², defining the time required for the brightness to reache 1000 cd/M² as the brightness halftime T (½), and then comparing the resulting brightness halftime with that of a conventional luminescent device. According to the present invention, the numerical value thus obtained was used.

An important characteristic parameter of the organic electroluminescence device of the present invention is external quantum efficiency. The external quantum efficiency is calculated by “the external quantum efficiency (φ)=the number of photons emitted from the device/the number of electrons injected to the device”, and it may be said that the larger the value obtained is, the more advantageous the device is in view of electric power consumption.

Moreover, the external quantum efficiency of the organic electroluminescence device is decided by “the external quantum efficiency (φ)=the internal quantum efficiency×light-extraction efficiency”. In an organic EL device which utilizes the fluorescent luminescence from the organic compound, an upper limit of the internal quantum efficiency is 25%, while the light-extraction efficiency is about 20%, and accordingly, it is considered that an upper limit of the external quantum efficiency is about 5%.

From the standpoint of reducing power consumption and increasing driving durability, the external quantum efficiency of a device is preferably 6% or more, and particularly preferably 12% or more.

As the numerical value of the external quantum efficiency, the maximum value thereof when the device is driven at 20° C., or a value of the external quantum efficiency at about 100 cd/M² to 300 cd/m² (preferably 200 cd/m²) when the device is driven at 20° C. may be used.

According to the present invention, a value obtained by the following method is used. Namely, a DC constant voltage is applied to the EL device by the use of a source measure unit, model 2400, manufactured by Toyo TECHNICA Corporation to cause it to emit light, the brightness of the light is measured by using a brightness photometer (trade name: BM-8, manufactured by Topcon Corporation), and then, the external quantum efficiency at 200 cd/m² is calculated.

Further, an external quantum efficiency of the luminescent device may be obtained by measuring the luminescent brightness, the luminescent spectrum, and the current density, and calculating the external quantum efficiency from these results and a specific visibility curve. In other words, using the current density value, the number of electrons injected can be calculated. By an integration calculation using the luminescent spectrum and the specific visibility curve (spectrum), the luminescent brightness can be converted into the number of photons emitted. From the result, the external quantum efficiency (%) can be calculated by “(the number of photons emitted/the number of electrons injected to the device)×100”.

For the driving method of the organic electroluminescence device of the present invention, driving methods described in JP-A Nos. 2-148687, 6-301355, 5-29080, 7-134558, 8-234685, and 8-241047; Japanese Patent No. 2784615, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,828,429 and 6,023,308 are applicable.

(Application of the Organic Electroluminescence Device of the Present Invention)

The organic electroluminescence device of the present invention can be appropriately used for indicating elements, displays, backlights, electronic photographs, illumination light sources, recording light sources, exposure light sources, reading light sources, signages, advertising displays, interior accessories, optical communications and the like.

EXAMPLES

In the following, examples of the organic electroluminescence device of the present invention will be described, but it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to these examples.

Example 1

1. Preparation of the Organic EL Device

(Preparation of Comparative Organic EL Device A1)

A 2.5 cm square ITO glass substrate having a 0.5 mm thickness (manufactured by Geomatec Co., Ltd.; surface resistance: 10 Ω/□) was placed in a washing container to apply ultrasonic cleaning in 2-propanol, and then, UV-ozone treatment was applied for 30 minutes. On the transparent anode, the following layers were deposited in accordance with a vacuum deposition method. In the examples of the present invention, a deposition rate was 0.2 nm/second, unless otherwise specified, wherein the deposition rate was measured by the use of a quartz oscillator. The thicknesses of layers described below were also measured by using the quartz oscillator.

Positive Hole-Injection Layer

Coevaporation was conducted in such that the deposition rate of 2-TNATA was 0.5 nm/second, and an amount of F4-TCNQ was 0.3% by mass with respect to the 2-TNATA. The thickness was 140 nm.

Positive Hole-Transport Layer

On the positive hole-injection layer, α-NPD was evaporated at a deposition rate of 0.5 nm/second. The thickness was 10 nm.

Light-Emitting Layer

Ternary coevaporation was conducted in such that CBP (positive hole transportation host) and ETM-1 (electron transporting host) were each deposited at a rate of 0.3 nm/second, and an amount of phosphorescence luminescent dopant EM-1 was 8% by mass with respect to the total organic materials in the light-emitting layer. The thickness of the light-emitting layer was 30 nm.

Electron-Transport Layer

BAlq was deposited at a thickness of 40 nm (deposition rate: 0.3 nm/second).

Electron Injection Layer and Cathode

On the resulting layers, a patterned mask (mask by which the light emitting region becomes 2 mm×2 mm) was disposed, and lithium fluoride was evaporated at a thickness of 1 nm at a deposition rate of 0.1 nm/second to obtain an electron injection layer. Further, metal aluminum was deposited thereon with a 100 nm thickness to obtain a cathode.

The prepared lamination body was placed in a globe box whose the contents were replaced by argon gas, and it was sealed by the use of a sealing cap made of stainless steel and a UV curable adhesive (trade name: XNR5516HV, manufactured by Nagase-Ciba Co., Ltd.).

Thus, the comparative organic EL device A1 was obtained.

(Preparation of Comparative Organic EL Device A2)

An organic EL device A2 was obtained by making a film thickness of the positive hole-injection layer 240 nm in the preparation of the organic EL device A1.

Preparation of Comparative Organic EL Devices B1 to B3

The following organic EL devices B1 to B3 were obtained by depositing LiF of each the following film thicknesses in between the light-emitting layer and the positive hole-transport layer at a deposition rate of 0.1 nm/second in the preparation of the organic EL device A1.

<B1: LiF, 1 nm>

<B2: LiF, 30 nm>

<B3: LiF, 100 nm>

(Preparation of Organic EL Devices 1 to 3 of the Present Invention)

Organic EL devices 1 to 3 of the present invention were prepared in accordance with the same method as that of the comparative organic EL device A1 except that the composition of the light-emitting layer was replaced by the following compositions in the comparative organic EL device A1.

Organic EL Device 1

Four elements coevaporation was conducted such that LiF was deposited at a deposition rate of 0.6 nm/second, CBP (positive hole transporting host) and ETM-1 (electron transporting host) were each deposited at a deposition rate of 0.3 nm/second and an amount of phosphorescence luminescent dopant EM-1 was 8% by mass of the total organic materials in the light-emitting layer. The thickness of the light-emitting layer was 30 nm.

Organic EL Device 2

Four elements coevaporation was conducted such that CaF₂ was deposited at a deposition rate of 0.6 nm/second, CBP (positive hole transporting host) and ETM-1 (electron transporting host) were each deposited at a deposition rate of 0.3 nm/second, and an amount of phosphorescence luminescent dopant EM-1 was 8% by mass of the total organic materials in the light-emitting layer. The thickness of the light-emitting layer was 30 nm.

Organic EL Device 3

Four elements coevaporation was conducted such that perfluoro-2,11-dimethyldodecane was deposited at a deposition rate of 0.6 nm/second, CBP (positive hole transporting host) and ETM-1 (electron transporting host) were each deposited at a deposition rate of 0.3 nm/second, and an amount of phosphorescence luminescent dopant EM-1 was 8% by mass of the total organic materials excluding the perfluoro-2,11-dimethyldodecane in the light-emitting layer. The thickness of the light-emitting layer was 30 nm.

2. Measurement of Refractive Index

(Preparation of Samples for Measuring Refractive Index)

Samples for measuring refractive index were prepared on a quartz substrate in accordance with vacuum evaporation. The samples prepared were as follows.

Comparative Sample A for Measuring Refractive Index

Four elements coevaporation was conducted such that CBP (positive hole transporting host) and ETM-1 (electron transporting host) were each deposited at a deposition rate of 0.3 nm/second, and an amount of phosphorescence luminescent dopant EM-1 was 8% by mass of the total organic materials in the light-emitting layer. The thickness of the light-emitting layer was 120 nm.

Sample 1 for Measuring Refractive Index

Four elements coevaporation was conducted such that LiF was deposited at a deposition rate of 0.6 nm/second, CBP (positive hole transporting host) and ETM-1 (electron transporting host) were each deposited at a deposition rate of 0.3 nm/second, and an amount of phosphorescence luminescent dopant EM-1 was 8% by mass of the total organic materials in the light-emitting layer. The thickness of the light-emitting layer was 120 nm.

Sample 2 for Measuring Refractive Index

Four elements coevaporation was conducted such that perfluoro-2,11-dimethyldodecane was deposited at a deposition rate of 0.6 nm/second, CBP (positive hole transporting host) and ETM-1 (electron transporting host) were each deposited at a deposition rate of 0.3 nm/second, and an amount of phosphorescence luminescent dopant EM-1 was 8% by mass of the total organic materials excluding the perfluoro-2,11-dimethyldodecane in the light-emitting layer. The thickness of the light-emitting layer was 120 nm.

(Measurement of Refractive Index)

Refractive indices of the above-described samples were measured at a 550 nm wavelength by using a spectroscopic ellipsometer (trade name: V-VASE, manufactured by Woolam Corporation).

The results measured are shown in Table 1.

Structures of the compounds used in the above-described luminescent devices are shown below.

3. Performance Evaluation

(Evaluation Items)

(1) External Luminescence Quantum Efficiency

The external luminescence quantum efficiency was measured at a driving current density of 10 mA/cm². A measuring method was such that the spectral radiance on the front side of the organic EL device was measured by the use of a spectro-radiance meter (trade name: CS-Model 1000, manufactured by Konica Minolta Co., Ltd.); on the assumption that the angular dependency of a radiant intensity was assumed to be in a Lambertian characteristic, the radiant intensity at each wavelength was converted into the number of discharged photons; and an external luminescence quantum efficiency was determined from a ratio with respect to the driving current density.

(2) Driving Voltage

The driving voltage was measured at driving current density of 10 mA/cm².

(Evaluation Results)

The results obtained are shown in Table 1.

The device of the present invention resulted in high external luminescence quantum efficiency without hardly increasing the driving voltage. On the other hand, the comparative device A1 which did not contain low refractive index material exhibited low external quantum efficiency and a high driving voltage. Moreover, each of the comparative devices B1 to B3, in which only a single layer of LiF was provided in between the light-emitting layer and the positive hole-transport layer, also exhibited a high driving voltage and low external quantum efficiency. Particularly, when the thickness of the LiF layer was larger than 30 nm, no luminescence occurred. TABLE 1 Refractive Thickness of Driving Quantum Index of Emissive Layer Voltage Efficiency Device No. Emissive Layer (nm) (V) (%) Remarks Invention 1 1.57 30 10.8 9.9 Invention Invention 2 1.58 30 10.9 10.1 Invention Invention 3 1.55 30 10.7 10.3 Invention Comparative A1 1.78 30 10.1 7.5 Comparative Comparative B1 1.78 30 22.1 4.2 Comparative Comparative B2 1.78 30 50 or more no EL emission Comparative Comparative B3 1.78 30 50 or more no EL emission Comparative

Example 2

1. Preparation of Samples

Organic EL devices 11 to 15 of the present invention were prepared in a similar manner to that of the comparative organic EL device A1 or A2 except that the compositions of the positive hole-injection layer and the light-emitting layer were replaced by the below-mentioned compositions with respect to the comparative device A1 or A2 of example 1.

Organic EL Device 11

In the comparative organic EL device A1, three elements coevaporation was conducted such that LiF was deposited at a deposition rate of 0.5 nm/second, and 2-TNATA was deposited at a deposition rate of 0.5 nm/second, as the positive hole-injection layer, and an amount of F4-TCNQ was 0.3% by mass with respect to the 2-TNATA. The thickness was 140 nm.

Organic EL Device 12

In the comparative organic EL device A1, three elements coevaporation was conducted such that Ca₂F was deposited at a deposition rate of 0.5 nm/second, and 2-TNATA was deposited at a deposition rate of 0.5 nm/second, as the positive hole-injection layer, and an amount of F4-TCNQ was 0.3% by mass with respect to the 2-TNATA. The thickness was 140 nm.

Organic EL Device 13

In the comparative organic EL device A1, three elements coevaporation was conducted such that perfluoro-2,11-dimethyldodecane was deposited at a deposition rate of 0.5 nm/second, and 2-TNATA was deposited at a deposition rate of 0.5 nm/second, as the positive hole-injection layer, and an amount of F4-TCNQ was 0.3% by mass with respect to the 2-TNATA. The film thickness was 140 nm.

Organic EL Device 14

In the comparative organic EL device A2, three elements coevaporation was conducted such that perfluoro-2,11-dimethyldodecane was deposited at a deposition rate of 0.5 nm/second, and 2-TNATA was deposited at a deposition rate of 0.5 nm/second, as the positive hole-injection layer, and an amount of F4-TCNQ was 0.3% by mass with respect to the 2-TNATA. The film thickness was 240 nm.

Organic EL Device 15

In the comparative organic EL device A1, three elements coevaporation was conducted such that perfluoro-2,11-dimethyldodecane was deposited at a deposition rate of 0.5 nm/second, and 2-TNATA was deposited at a deposition rate of 0.5 nm/second, as the positive hole-injection layer, and an amount of F4-TCNQ was 0.3% by mass with respect to the 2-TNATA. The thickness was 140 nm.

Moreover, as the light-emitting layer, four elements coevaporation was conducted such that perfluoro-2,11-dimethyldodecane was deposited at a deposition rate of 0.6 nm/second, CBP (positive hole transporting host) and ETM-1 (electron transporting host) were each deposited at a deposition rate of 0.3 nm/second, and an amount of phosphorescence luminescent dopant EM-1 was 8% by mass of the total organic materials excluding the perfluoro-2,11-dimethyldodecane in the light-emitting layer. The thickness of the light-emitting layer was 30 nm.

2. Measurement of Refractive Index of Positive Hole-Injection Layer

For measurement of a refractive index of the positive hole-injection layer, the following samples were prepared in a similar manner to that of example 1, and the samples were measured in a similar manner to that of example 1.

Comparative Sample B for Measuring Refractive Index

Three elements coevaporation was conducted such that a deposition rate of 2-TNATA was 0.5 nm/second, and an amount of F4-TCNQ was 0.3% by mass with respect to the 2-TNATA. The thickness was 120 nm.

Sample 11 for Measuring Refractive Index

Three elements coevaporation was conducted such that a deposition rate of LiF was 0.5 nm/second, 2-TNATA was deposited at a 0.5 nm/second deposition rate, and an amount of F4-TCNQ was 0.3% by mass with respect to the 2-TNATA. The thickness was 120 nm.

Sample 12 for Measuring Refractive Index

Three elements coevaporation was conducted such that a deposition rate of CaF₂ was 0.5 nm/second, 2-TNATA was deposited at a deposition rate of 0.5 nm/second, and an amount of F4-TCNQ was 0.3% by mass with respect to the 2-TNATA. The thickness was 120 nm.

Sample 13 for Measuring Refractive Index

Three elements coevaporation was conducted such that a deposition rate of perfluoro-2,11-dimethyldodecane was 0.5 nm/second, 2-TNATA was deposited at a deposition rate of 0.5 nm/second, and an amount of F4-TCNQ was 0.3% by mass with respect to the 2-TNATA. The thickness was 120 nm.

2. Performance Evaluation

The results, which were evaluated in a similar manner to that of example 1, are shown in table 2.

From the results, it has been found that the devices of the present invention exhibit a high external luminescent quantum efficiency without hardly increasing the driving voltage. TABLE 2 Refractive Index Refractive Thickness of Thickness of Driving Quantum of Hole-Injection Index of Hole-Injection Emissive Layer Voltage Efficiency Device No. Layer Emissive Layer Layer (nm) (nm) (V) (%) Remarks Invention 11 1.58 1.78 140 30 10.5 9.5 Invention Invention 12 1.59 1.78 140 30 10.4 9.4 Invention Invention 13 1.57 1.78 140 30 10.2 9.6 Invention Invention 14 1.57 1.78 240 30 12.7 10.2 Invention Invention 15 1.57 1.55 140 30 10.8 11.4 Invention Comparative A1 1.81 1.78 140 30 10.1 7.5 Comparative Comparative A2 1.81 1.78 240 30 12.3 7.8 Comparative 

1. An organic electroluminescence device comprising a pair of electrodes and at least one organic compound layer comprising a light-emitting layer between the pair of electrodes, wherein a refractive index of at least one of the light-emitting layer or an organic compound layer on the light extraction side of the light-emitting layer is 1.6 or less.
 2. The organic electroluminescence device according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the layer having a refractive index of 1.6 or less is 20 nm to 500 nm.
 3. The organic electroluminescence device according to claim 1, wherein the layer having a refractive index of 1.6 or less is the light-emitting layer.
 4. The organic electroluminescence device according to claim 1, wherein the layer having a refractive index of 1.6 or less is a positive hole-injection layer.
 5. The organic electroluminescence device according to claim 1, wherein the layer having a refractive index of 1.6 or less is the light-emitting layer and a positive hole-injection layer.
 6. The organic electroluminescence device according to claim 1, wherein the layer having a refractive index of 1.6 or less contains 10% by mass to 90% by mass of a material having a refractive index of 1.5 or less.
 7. The organic electroluminescence device according to claim 6, wherein the material having a refractive index of 1.5 or less is a metal fluoride.
 8. The organic electroluminescence device according to claim 7, wherein the metal fluoride is at least one member selected from AlF₃, Na₃AlF₆, MgF₂, CaF₂, BaF₂, SrF₂, LiF, NaF, KF, or CsF.
 9. The organic electroluminescence device according to claim 6, wherein the material having a refractive index of 1.5 or less is an organic substance.
 10. The organic electroluminescence device according to claim 9, wherein the organic substance having a refractive index of 1.5 or less is a fluorine-containing organic compound.
 11. The organic electroluminescence device according to claim 10, wherein the fluorine-containing organic compound is a perfluoroalkyl compound.
 12. The organic electroluminescence device according to claim 1, wherein the layer having a refractive index of 1.6 or less has a thickness of 20 nm to 500 nm and contains 0.01% by mass to 1% by mass of tetrafluorotetracyanoquinodimethane (F4TCNQ). 